Places

In wandering the hills and vales of Ireland have you ever run across an abandoned house, cottage, castle and thought “if these walls could talk”? Anyone who has experienced this soon feels pangs of sadness at the decay and wasting of many of these lovely old houses! Some of them in such poor shape that they will soon be nothing but a mound of rocks covered with grass and no signs of the from home and its grandeur. Fortunately for us some of these places have been restored to their former state and we can rent them as self catering vacation homes as in, For others there may be no hope of restoration. But again we are fortunate that there are others who are equally passionate about these old structures and the history and have photographed and published these on the internet. One such historian is Tarquin Blake of Abanoned Ireland Blake, formerly of England and now living in Cork. He started this project as a weekend hobby and it has grown now to a website, several books and lectures. Another person who has done a great deal of work detailing the history of old Irish country homes and mansions on the internet is Chris Deakin whose work may be seen on the website Nobody Home . Chris’s work features mostly castles that are falling to ruins. A sister to this website is Former Glory. Here you may buy one, sell one or stay in one of these old homes.If you are more interested in scholarly study of historical homes of Ireland then you will find just that at the Center for the Study of Historic Irish Houses and Estates based in Department of History at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, Co. Kildare. The center offers lectures, conferences, and formal educational programs related to this topic. And The Irish Aesthete which is a study of Ireland’s architectural history and features many grand old buildings but also some everyday rural buildings and architecture.You will also want to check out the Irish Landmark Trust where you can actually stay in a restored historic property. The properties include cottages, gatehouses, lighthouse or other restored historic properties. The Irish Landmark Trust is a non-profit organization that finds interesting buildings in need of conservation and through donations restores them. Wonderful idea for your fairytale self catering vacation! Theses sites provide a great picture into the past for those of us who aren’t able to visit them in person! Like this:Like...

Killorglin, in the geographical heart of Kerry, is the venue for one of Ireland’s most unusual street festivals – Puck Fair. The fair is one of Ireland’s oldest and longest celebrated and is held without fail on 10th, 11th and 12th August every year for the last 400 years. Yes you read it right…400 years! The most widely mentioned story relating to the origin of King Puck, associates him with the English Ironside Leader Oliver Cromwell. It is related that while the “Roundheads” were pillaging the countryside around Shanara and Kilgobnet at the foot of the McGillycuddy Reeks, they routed a herd of goats grazing on the upland. The animals took flight before the raiders, and the he-goat or “Puck” broke away on his own and lost contact with the herd. While the others headed for the mountains he went towards Cill Orglain (Killorglin) on the banks of the Laune. His arrival there in a state of semi exhaustion alerted the inhabitants of the approaching danger and they immediately set about protecting themselves and their stock. It is said that in recognition of the service rendered by the goat, the people decided to institute a special festival in his honour and this festival has been held ever since. There are many other stories or legends that recount the origins and history of the fair which can be found at the Puck Fair. Free, fun, family events take place across the 3 days. Music acts, street entertainers and performers from all over Ireland and the world attend the festival – highlights include open air night time concerts, a host of local bands and traditional groups, céilís, a unique coronation ceremony & parade , storytelling, traditional music sessions, midnight madness fireworks & the Horse Fair. The carnival atmosphere includes street traders, street artists, craft fair, buskers, face painting, pet show, bonny babies, puppet theatre and music sessions. So mark your calendars as this years it is being extended 4 days to celebrate the 400th anniversary this August. Like this:Like...